INDUSTRY OUTLOOK PUBLIC SAFETY - ANNUAL UPDATE 2020 - Australian Industry Standards
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INDUSTRY
OUTLOOK
ANNUAL UPDATE 2020
INDUSTRY REFERENCE COMMITTEE
PUBLIC SAFETY
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES
EMPLOYMENT & SKILLS OUTLOOK
WORKFORCE SUPPLY SIDE
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
DRAFT 1
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
The 2019–20 Australian bushfire season was among agencies, maritime rescue, emergency services,
the worst in living memory. With over 18 million emergency management agencies, biosecurity
hectares burnt, over 3,500 homes and 33 lives agencies, Defence, intelligence organisations, and
lost, including 6 Australian firefighters and, on 23 associated administrative and support functions.
January, 3 American air crew who died while flying a
Lockheed C-130 Hercules air tanker that crashed at While the 2019-2020 fire season saw disastrous
Peak View near Cooma while waterbombing a blaze. bushfires that resulted in the loss of lives and the
destruction of homes, property, livestock and wildlife
The entire Public Safety industry was mobilised to it demonstrated the capability of the different
combat the disaster. The outstanding cooperation sectors within public safety, i.e. fire, police, defence
between all agencies; fire, police, defence, SES, and emergency services to work effectively together
and all civilian authorities, including ambulance and learn from past disasters. The disaster also
paramedics, supporting their operations was a brought together many international firefighting
testament to the comprehensive training and skilling and defence partners who assisted with logistics, air
that has been undertaken over the years. Such support and on the ground firefighting. This included
training and skilling drawing heavily on lessons the unprecedented support from the ADF Navy and
learnt from previous disasters of this type. Air Force in mass evacuations from Mallacoota.
The public safety industry also acknowledges the Combatting and managing these fires has
international cooperation from countries such as highlighted considerations in relation to the
New Zealand, USA, Canada, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, retention and recruitment of volunteers, ability
Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, France, The Philippines of the aviation firefighting sector to maintain
and many other countries that offered their emergency response capacity across a range
assistance. of different roles and the role of the military in
providing resources and logistics, including for mass
The 2020 Industry Outlook identifies a number of evacuations.
skills challenges and opportunities for the immediate
future and builds on information contained in The public safety environment acknowledges
previous Skills Forecast projections. Information challenges in relation to financial and economic
in this Outlook emanated through research and factors, strategic issues, health and wellbeing and
extensive industry consultations including an the increasing use of new technologies across
industry skills survey, the Australasian Fire and industry sectors. The emergence of autonomous
Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) – Fire vehicles and increasing adoption of electric and
& Emergency Management Conference 2019 and hybrid vehicles pose emerging challenges and
the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency opportunities to public safety agencies, particularly
(ANZPAA) Police Conference 2019. emergency responders. Risks and opportunities
are also anticipated as a result of technologies such
The Public Safety industry employs nearly 180,000 as 3D printing, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial
people in full-time jobs, 20,400 people in standby/ intelligence, remotely piloted aircraft (drones),
reserve positions, and approximately 236,000 automation, blockchain, cyber security, and the
DRAFT
volunteers. The industry has an estimated annual consequent need for greater digital literacy within
revenue of $58.7 billion in 2019, adding over $34.72 public safety. The COAG Energy Council, in their
billion to the Australian economy. report, ‘Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy’,
highlighted the need for appropriate training for
Australia’s Public Safety industry is diverse and emergency services on how to deal with hydrogen-
comprises police, fire and land management related incidents to minimise the risk to themselves,
2
PUA
others, and property and equipment.
The ADF is currently improving the skills and training
continuum of Military Justice Practitioners, reviewing
and further developing Defence’s Explosive
Ordnance capabilities, together with a review of the PUBLIC SAFETY
Defence Simulation Maintenance requirements and
qualifications for practitioners. Defence is continually Training Package
reviewing skills across a wide range of Defence
occupations and roles including a focus on national
cyber security capabilities. Training Data
National biosecurity agencies will further develop
biosecurity response capabilities through the
Challenges and Opportunities
development of skills for the provision of timely
and accurate information to public safety agencies, Employment Opportunities
media organisations and the public during a
biosecurity response operation.
Industry Labour Shortages
Rapid changes in technology, environment, global
events and a growing need to anticipate skilling Priority Skills
issues remain priorities for police, fire, defence,
emergency management, emergency services and
biosecurity. Workforce Supply Side
Mark Burgess
Public Safety IRC Chair
This IRC Industry Outlook was endorsed
by the Public Safety IRC on [DATE].
DRAFT 3
IRC INDUSTRY
OUTLOOK
The Industry Reference Committee (IRC) Industry Outlook focuses on
the prioritisation of skill needs of the industry sectors that each IRC has
responsibility for. At the June 2019 meeting, the Australian Industry and
Skills Committee (AISC) changed the annual requirements for Industry
Skills Forecasts to a rolling three-year schedule with a brief annual
update in the intervening years. The Skills Forecast update will be
submitted annually on behalf of the IRC to the AISC for approval, focusing
only on proposed work for the year.
The Public Safety IRC Industry Outlook identifies the priority skill needs
of the Public Safety industry following a research and stakeholder
consultation process conducted by Australian Industry Standards (AIS) on
behalf of the IRC.
The document is deliberately brief. It does not seek to identify every issue
within every sector. It is a snapshot of a continually evolving story that is
intended to alert and inform a wide audience and enhance the industry’s
capacity to act.
The Public Safety IRC consults broadly with stakeholders to ensure a
whole-of-industry view about the opportunities and challenges for the
workforce and the review work within the DEF Defence, POL Police, and
PUA Public Safety Training Packages necessary to meet industry needs.
More information on the National Schedule can be found at:
www.aisc.net.au/content/national-schedule
DRAFT 4
PUBLIC SAFETY INDUSTRY PUBLIC
REFERENCE COMMITTEE SAFETY IRC
The Public Safety IRC has been assigned responsibility for the DEF
Defence, PUA Public Safety, and POL Police Training Packages.
MEMBERS
Mark Burgess (Chair)
Police Federation of Australia
More information about the Public Safety IRC and
Lynda Douglas (Deputy Chair)
its work can be found here:
Department of Defence
www.australianindustrystandards.org.au/committee/ Brendan Angwin
public-safety-industry-reference-committee/ United Firefighters Union (UFU)
Carola Washbourne
Emergency Management
Ian Gabites
Volunteer Firefighting
Jason Males
Department of Agriculture and Water
Resources
Jean Dyzel
Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory
Agency (ANZPAA)
John Scully
Defence Force Welfare Association
Neville Kitchin
Community and Public Sector Union
Paul Wallworth
Australian Council of State & Territory
Emergency Services (ACSES)
Sandra Lunardi
Australasian Fire and Emergency Service
Authorities Council (AFAC)
Stephen Leahy
Aquatic and Marine Search and Rescue
DRAFT
For more information please contact:
Katherine White
Public Safety Industry Manager
Australian Industry Standards
M 0448 181 661
E Katherine.White@aistnds.org.au
5
PUBLIC SAFETY
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
The Public Safety industry employs
nearly 180,000 people in full-time
jobs, 20,450 people in standby/
reserve positions, and approximately
236,000 volunteers. The industry had
an estimated annual revenue of $58.7
billion in 2019, adding over $34.72
billion to the Australian economy.
Australia’s Public Safety industry
is highly diverse, and comprises
police, fire and rescue services,
maritime rescue, emergency services
and emergency management
agencies, Defence, and intelligence
organisations, including associated
administrative and support functions. WESTERN
AUSTRALIA
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2018) 8165.0 Counts of
Australian Businesses, including Entries and Exits, Jun 2013 to
Jun 2017. Australian Government.
51
EXPLANATORY NOTES
Counts of Australian Businesses
The Counts of Australian Businesses data
uses a top down approach where industries
are primarily classified by the single
predominant industry class associated with a
business’ ABN. A limitation of this approach
is that organisations with a presence in
several States/Territories will be counted
only once. This can lead to enterprise figures
appearing low for a given state/territory,
but it’s not that there are no enterprises AVG. AGE STUDENTS WORKFORCE SIZE
existing in the state/territory, it’s that the IN TRAINING 2020
headquarters are located elsewhere. A
further consideration is that organisations
in more than one industry will also be only
34.6 Years 208,114
counted in one industry.
DRAFT
THE TYPICAL PUA 2025
STUDENT IS 4 YEARS,
Exemptions
Police Services, Fire Protection and Other
2 MONTHS OLDER
THAN THE AVERAGE
217,254
Emergency Services are excluded from this VOCATIONAL
dataset. STUDENT
6
EMPLOYMENT
NORTHERN
TERRITORY
GROWTH TO 2025
5 4.4%
GENDER
DISTRIBUTION
33% 67%
ENTERPRISES
BY STATE
QUEENSLAND
85
INDUSTRY
VALUE
REVENUE
NEW SOUTH WALES
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
19 182 58.7B
AUSTRALIAN
CAPITAL TERRITORY
5
VALUE ADD
VICTORIA
117 34.72B
TASMANIA
4
DRAFT 7
»» Defence Force Welfare Association
»» National SES Volunteers Association
»» Police Federation of Australia
KEY PUBLIC SAFETY »» Public Service Association NSW
STAKEHOLDERS »» United Firefighters Union of Australia
Licensing / Regulatory
Employers
»» Australian Maritime Safety Authority
»» ACT Parks and Conversation Service
»» Safe Work Australia
»» Australian Red Cross
»» Australian Road Rescue Organisation Government
»» Department of Defence
»» Attorney-General’s Department, Emergency
»» Forestry Corporation of New South Wales Management Australia
»» Forestry SA »» Brisbane City Council
»» Forestry Tasmania »» Bureau of Meteorology
»» Geoscience Australia »» Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
»» HQ Plantations Pty Ltd »» Department of Conservation New Zealand
»» Life Saving Victoria »» Department of Environment, Land, Water and
»» Melbourne Water Planning - VIC
»» New South Wales State Emergency Service »» Department of Environment, Water and Natural
Resources - SA
»» State Emergency Services
»» Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing,
»» Surf Life Saving Australia Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
»» Tasmania State Emergency Service »» Department of Parks and Wildlife - WA
»» Victoria State Emergency Service »» Federal, State/Territory Departments
»» Ministry of Defence and Emergency Management
Employer Representatives
»» NSW Department of Industry - Mines Safety
Operations
»» Australasian Fire and Emergency Service
Authorities Council »» Office of Environment and Heritage - NSW
»» Australian Council of State Emergency Services »» Parks and Wildlife Service - TAS
»» Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience »» Parks Australia
»» Australia New Zealand Council of the Police »» Parks Victoria
Profession
Industry Advisory
Employee Representatives
DRAFT
»» State Industry Training Advisory Boards (ITABS)
»» Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard
Association Inc.
Training Organisations
»» Australian Services Union
»» Community and Public Sector Union »» TAFEs, Private RTOs, Enterprise RTOs
8
1/3
DRAFT
of all police officers at
an aggregate are female
9
DEF DEFENCE
TRAINING PACKAGE
The DEF Defence Training Package provides the
only nationally recognised Vocational Education
and Training (VET) qualifications for occupations
involved in the manufacture, storage, distribution,
maintenance and use of explosives, mechanic,
health officer, combat system operations, sensor
operations, electronic forensics, simulator
maintenance, range control for land, sea and
air, management, work health and safety and
institutional and operational chaplaincy.
The DEF Defence Training Package comprises Certificates
48 qualifications, 14 Skill Sets and 483 Units
of Competency and associated assessment »» Certificate I in Defence Skills
requirements and covers military skills on land,
in the air and on water, explosive ordnance, »» Certificate II in Military Skills
electronic forensics, simulator maintenance, range
control, management (in areas such as intelligence, »» Certificate II in Explosive Ordnance Manufacture
performance based contracting, risk management, »» Certificate II in Explosive Ordnance
planning, policy development, WHS etc.), institutional
and operational chaplaincy. »» Certificate III in Explosive Ordnance Operations
»» Certificate III in Air Dispatch
The DEF Defence Training Packages contain the
following qualifications: »» Certificate III in Explosive Ordnance Maintenance
»» Certificate III in Explosive Ordnance Manufacture
»» Certificate III in Explosive Ordnance Proof and
Experimental
»» Certificate III in Field Petroleum Operations
»» Certificate III in Defence Public Affairs
»» Certificate III in Sensor Operations
»» Certificate III in Preventive Health
»» Certificate IV in Electronic Forensics
»» Certificate IV in Explosive Ordnance Manufacture
»» Certificate IV in Simulator Maintenance
»» Certificate IV in Defence Public Affairs
DRAFT
5
»» Certificate IV in Performance Based Contracting
the number of countries
supporting ADF efforts in
Operation Bushfire Assist
10»» Diploma of Defence Paralegal Services
»» Diploma of Explosive Ordnance
»» Diploma of Enterprise Architecture Practice
»» Diploma of Range Control and Management
»» Diploma of Simulator Maintenance
»» Diploma of Leadership
»» Diploma of Evaluations
»» Diploma of Electronic Forensics
»» Certificate IV in Explosive Ordnance Proof »» Diploma of Institutional and Operational
and Experimental Chaplaincy
»» Certificate IV in Test and Evaluation »» Diploma of Preventive Health
»» Certificate IV in Defence Reporting »» Diploma of Compliance
»» Certificate IV in Defence Paralegal Services »» Diploma of Explosive Ordnance Proof and
Experimental
»» Certificate IV in Preventive Health
»» Graduate Certificate in Explosive Ordnance
»» Certificate IV in Psychological Support
»» Graduate Diploma of Explosive Ordnance
»» Certificate IV in Range Control
»» Certificate IV in Defence Financial Administration
»» Certificate IV in Intelligence Operations
»» Certificate IV in Work Health Safety
»» Certificate IV in Explosive Ordnance Operations
»» Certificate IV in Explosive Ordnance Maintenance
Diploma - Graduate Diploma
The DEF Defence Training
DRAFT
»» Diploma of Defence Public Affairs Package is on the Scope of
Registration of
36
»» Diploma of Defence Financial Management
»» Diploma of Test and Evaluation
»» Diploma of Explosive Ordnance Manufacture Registered Training
Organisations.
11POL POLICE
TRAINING PACKAGE
The POL Police Training Package provides nationally
recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET)
qualifications for policing occupations in areas such
as community engagement, intelligence, search
and rescue, forensics, investigation, negotiation,
prosecution and protective services.
The POL Police Training Package comprises
27 qualifications, 1 Skill Sets and 146 Units »» Diploma of Police Bomb Technical Response
of Competency and associated assessment
requirements. »» Diploma of Police Intelligence Practice
»» Advanced Diploma of Forensic Investigation
The POL Police Training Package contains the
following qualifications: »» Advanced Diploma of Human Source
Management
»» Advanced Diploma of Police Investigation
Certificates
»» Advanced Diploma of Surveillance
»» Certificate II in Community Engagement »» Advanced Diploma of Undercover Operations
»» Certificate III in Police Liaison (Operative/Controller)
»» Certificate III in Aboriginal Community Policing »» Advanced Diploma of Police Supervision
»» Certificate IV in Protective Services »» Advanced Diploma of Police Close Personal
Protection
»» Certificate IV in Aboriginal Community Policing
»» Advanced Diploma of Police Intelligence
Operations
Diploma - Advanced Diploma
»» Advanced Diploma of Police Search and Rescue
Management
»» Diploma of Forensic Investigation
»» Advanced Diploma of Police Negotiation
»» Diploma of Police Search and Rescue
Coordination (Marine/Land) »» Advanced Diploma of Police Witness Protection
»» Diploma of Policing »» Graduate Certificate in Police Prosecution
»» Graduate Certificate in Police Management
»» Graduate Certificate in Crime Scene Investigation
»» Graduate Certificate in Forensic Firearm
Examination
»» Graduate Certificate in Forensic Fingerprint
The POL Police Training
Investigation
DRAFT
Package is on the Scope of
Registration of »» Graduate Certificate of Police Investigation
18
Registered Training
Organisations.
12DRAFT
13
37years
is the average age of a
police officer»» Certificate IV in Public Safety (Firefighting
Supervision)
PUA PUBLIC SAFETY »» Certificate IV in Public Safety (Community Safety)
TRAINING PACKAGE »» Certificate IV in Public Safety (Biosecurity
Emergency Response Leadership)
The PUA Public Safety Training Package provides the
»» Certificate IV in Public Safety (Aquatic Search and
only nationally recognised Vocational Education and
Rescue Management)
Training (VET) qualifications for occupations involved
in aquatic rescue, aquatic search and rescue, »» Certificate IV in Public Safety (Leadership)
emergency communications centre operations,
community safety, biosecurity response operations, »» Certificate IV in Public Safety (Emergency
leadership, emergency management, search and Communications Centre Operations)
rescue – management, firefighting operations,
supervision and management, firefighting and
emergency operations and fire investigation. Diploma - Advanced Diploma
The PUA Public Safety Training Package comprises »» Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency
31 qualifications, 42 Skill Sets and 240 Units Management)
of Competency and associated assessment
requirements and covers firefighting and emergency »» Diploma of Public Safety (Firefighting
operations, search and rescue, SES operations, Management)
community safety, aquatic search and rescue, and »» Diploma of Public Safety (Search and Rescue -
biosecurity. Coordination)
The PUA Public Safety Training Package contains the »» Diploma of Public Safety (Community Safety)
following qualifications:
»» Diploma of Public Safety (Biosecurity Emergency
Response Management)
Certificates »» Diploma of Public Safety (SES Operations
Management)
»» Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue) »» Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Fire
Investigation)
»» Certificate II in Public Safety (SES)
»» Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Firefighting
»» Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting and Management)
Emergency Operations)
»» Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Community
»» Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting Safety)
Operations)
»» Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency
»» Certificate III in Public Safety (Aquatic Search and Management)
Rescue)
»» Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Search and
»» Certificate III in Public Safety (Emergency Rescue Management)
Communications Centre Operations)
»» Graduate Diploma of Crisis Leadership
»» Certificate III in Public Safety (Biosecurity
Emergency Response Operations)
»» Certificate III in Public Safety (SES Rescue)
»» Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and
Emergency Operations)
The PUA Public Safety
»» Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting
DRAFT
Training Package is on the
Operations) Scope of Registration of
»»
»»
Certificate III in Public Safety (Community Safety)
Certificate III in Public Safety (SES Operations)
301
Registered Training
»» Certificate IV in Public Safety (SES Leadership) Organisations.
14DRAFT
53years
is the median age of
commissioned officers of
police
15TRAINING DATA
The charts below investigate commencing
qualification enrolments in each State and Territory
along with qualification utilisation by occupational
group. At the national level, qualification enrolments
in the PUA Training Package have decreased by
nearly 16 per cent over the last four years while
Units of Competency enrolments have increased by
just over 46.2 per cent.
Due to security and operational requirements,
Defence and Police manage their training
requirements internally and are not included
in publicly available, funded training programs.
Enrolment data for DEF and POL are therefore
absent from the following training data.
QUALIFICATION ENROLMENTS BY STATE/TERRITORY
The most obvious feature of the graph below is the dramatic ‘U’ shaped results in Queensland. The decline is largely
due to a substantial drop in the Certificate II and III in Firefighting Operations in the State which fell almost 92%
since 2015. The marked increase can be largely attributed to a massive increase in Certificate II in Public Safety
(Aquatic Rescue), where enrolments more than tripled between 2017 and 2018 in the State.
While enrolments in PUA qualifications have experienced a decline in recent years, PUA Unit enrolments have risen
substantially. A large portion of this increase can be attributed to only four emergency units (1.7% of all PUA units),
which accounted for 61% of all PUA unit enrolments growth from 2015. Overall, units were three times more likely
of being delivered outside of a nationally recognised program in 2018 than inside one. This ratio has increased
since 2015 when it was less than double.
DRAFT 1643%
of female recruits or
Probationary Constables
(Enrolled Police Officers).
QUALIFICATION UTILISATION BY OCCUPATIONAL GROUP
The largest occupational group Community and Personal Service Workers, primarily comprising Police, Security Officers
and Guards, Defence Force Members and Fire and Emergency Workers, make up more than half (51.9%) of the Public Safety
workforce. For this group, 52.2% hold a VET qualification which is more than twice the share that hold a tertiary qualification
(20.0%). Clerical and Administrative Workers and Managers make up about equal portions of 23.9% of the workforce but
have contrasting qualification profiles. Clerical and Administrative Workers are slightly more likely to hold a VET qualification
than Managers (40.6%|37.1%) but half as likely to hold a tertiary qualification (21.1%|43.4%) and twice as likely to hold no
qualifications (38.3%|19.5%). Professionals within Public Safety make up 10.2% of the industry and are greatly varied, from
Air Transport Professionals to Training and Development Professionals and ICT Specialists. Just over a quarter of this group
hold VET qualifications (27%) and nearly 60% hold tertiary qualifications. Technicians and Trades Workers are the most
likely occupational group to hold VET qualifications (73.1%) comprised mainly of Mechanics, Electricians and Engineers. Each
of the remaining groups comprises approximately 3% of the workforce and hold qualifications outside the PUA, DEF or POL
Training packages.
DRAFT 1730
the number of coronial
inquests into disasters
between 1886 and 2017
EXPLANATORY NOTES
Training Charts Exemptions
The Training and the Total VET Activity (TVA) data is collected from Where the submission of training data to TVA conflicts with defence
all types of training providers and not only those in receipt of or national security legislation or jeopardises the security or safety
Commonwealth or State funding. TVA data collection commenced in of personnel working in defence, border protection, customs or
2014. For Enrolments by Delivery type ‘Other’ includes; Recognition of Australian police departments, an exemption from reporting training
Prior Learning (RPL), Credit Transfers and Units where the mode of data is available.
delivery is mixed.
Organisations that deliver training for vital services to the community
(such as emergency, fire, first aid and rescue organisations) may have
received an exemption to submit data to TVA. From 1 January 2016
however, the exemption from reporting applies only in respect of
training activity not delivered on a fee-for-service / commercial basis.
DRAFT 18a technologically and innovation-based, services-
oriented economy. Productivity growth is at the core
of both short-term and longer-term challenges.4
Governments continue to demand better outcomes
with decreasing investment and require solutions
CHALLENGES AND which address complexly connected macro-
economic and micro-economic challenges. At the
OPPORTUNITIES macro- level, innovation and efficiency are important
pre-requisites for productivity-boosting policies in
Australia’s economy has now completed its 29th skills and trade, but also vital is micro-economic
consecutive year of economic growth. The OECD behaviour that embraces technology and investment
Economic Survey of Australia’s Financial and in jobs which occurs at the workplace level.
Economic Factors states that the economy and Governments at the federal, state, territory and local
labour market have been resilient, with rising level continue to face the challenges associated with
employment and labour-force participation; population growth and climate change, and this has
projections show a continued robust output growth direct and indirect impacts for skill development in
of around 3 per cent1 in the near future. While living Public Safety in Australia.
standards generally remain high, many Australians
continue to face socio-economic disadvantage. Budgetary and time constraints continue to be some
Reducing poverty is contingent on good economic of the biggest challenges for training. Most training
management and the economic inclusion of is undertaken to meet skill requirements that
vulnerable groups.2 It is anticipated COVID-19 mitigate risk and comply with regulations.5 Financial
(Corona Virus) and bushfire events of 2019/2020 pressures and the transitioning economy also
will impact heavily on the Australian economy. The implies that there may be less funds for training; this
bushfire events, in particular, have seriously affected impacts not only the type of training that is delivered
many regional communities already suffering (classroom or on-the-job) but also the method of
significant economic pressure. delivery. Innovative design can make training more
accessible in the workplace and, through use of
While economic growth in Australia continues, it online-based modes of training, delivered at home.
must also be noted that the global economic outlook On-line training and testing have grown rapidly in all
is more precarious. The current and projected risk to Public Safety agencies, as has the use of workplace
the continuation of that growth is high. While growth training simulations.
from non-mining business, investment, household
consumption, public final demand and export have
sustained us through the wind-down of the mining
boom,3 international factors outside Australia’s STRATEGIC ISSUES
control threaten our economic well-being. Progress
has been made in the trade war between China
and the USA, but trade barriers continue to weaken
growth. On January 31, 2020 Britain exited the
Natural disasters
European Union and entered an 11 month transition
period where they effectively remain in the EU’s The diversity of Australia’s ecosystem and geography
customs union and single market and continue to create some unique planning challenges in
obey EU rules. However, it is no longer part of Public Safety. Australia has 54 Natural Resource
the political institutions. How this plays out in Management (NRM) regions,6 which are defined
international markets is yet to be assessed. by catchments and bioregions. Many activities
of organisations and ecosystem services within
Most organisations within Public the NRM regions are vulnerable to the impacts of
Safety are state, territory or federally climate change. These NRM regions are grouped
funded, so government spending into ‘clusters’ which largely correspond to the
trends impact on the sector. At broad-scale climate and biophysical regions of
present, government policy has Australia. The clusters are diverse in their history,
the shorter-term objective population, resource base, geography and climate.
DRAFT
of facilitating Australia’s Therefore, each cluster has a unique set of priorities
transition from a resource for responding to climate change. Public Safety
and commodities- organisations that provide services within these
based economy into clusters will face challenges that may be unique
to that discrete, local environment. During the
2019/2020 bushfire season all Australian public
196,400
the number of ADF
personnel supporting
Operation Bushfire
safety agencies demonstrated their considerable
ability to work together to combat the disaster.
Continuing to adapt to these challenges in the future
will continue to be of key importance to agencies, Safety of the Public and Community
jurisdictions and organisations seeking to plan Resilience
the delivery of services across a broad sector of
Australian society. The concept of Public Safety has also undergone
a significant shift and is transforming the way in
On 29 October 2019, the Bushfire and Natural which emergency management will occur in the
Hazards Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) future. Recognising that a large segment of the
published the ‘Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook: Australian community is not active in their own
August 2019’. The CRC predicted Bushfires would be preparedness for emergencies and natural disasters,
worse than previously experienced across much of the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience (NSDR)
Australia in the summer of 2019-20, with research purposely advocates for the community to be active
indicating that many, especially those in high-risk participants in their own resilience. This represents a
areas, remain unprepared. It further stated: “The major policy shift in emergency management moving
year to date has been unusually warm and dry for from the traditional position of the emergency
large parts of Australia. In fact, it has been the fifth- services serving the community, to one in which the
driest start to the year on record, and the driest community is supported to act as its own agent in
since 1970. Some areas, such as NSW and south- emergency management.9
eastern Queensland, are into their third year of dry
conditions. The warming trend means that above- There are a series of community engagement
average temperatures now tend to occur in most activities that the emergency management
years, and 2019 has followed this pattern. These sector utilises to build community resilience.
high temperatures further dry the landscape and All of these activities centre on the concepts of
vegetation and heighten the risk for uncontrolled shared responsibility and seek to encourage the
fire”.7 The realisation of the predicted “worse than active participation of individuals, businesses
normal” bushfires struck early in the 2019 / 2020 and communities in government processes that
fire season, as catastrophic fires took lives, livestock, support emergency management and in the direct
native animals and numerous properties in many preparedness of emergency management as well.10
states and territories of Australia. Lessons for
public safety agencies continue to be learned from
This shift towards mobilising communities as
disasters arising from natural disasters. Matters
agents in emergency management aligns to efforts
arising from disaster inquiries and organisational
occurring elsewhere internationally. The community
reflections will inform future skilling and training
engagement activities accord with the UNODRR
needs.
(UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, formerly
known as UNISDR) Sendai Framework for Disaster
Risk Reduction 2015-2030. The Sendai Framework
DISASTER RECOVERY is a 15-year, voluntary, non-binding agreement
which recognises that the State has the primary
role to reduce disaster risk, but that responsibility
On January 6, 2020, Prime Minister Scott Morrison should be shared with other stakeholders including
announced the formation of a dedicated agency local government, the private sector and other
to be known as the National Bushfire Recovery stakeholders. It aims for the following outcome: The
Agency, to be led by former Australian Federal Police substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in
Commissioner Andrew Colvin. The new agency will lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic,
be modelled on operations implemented in response physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of
to the North Queensland floods, and sit within the persons, businesses, communities and countries.11
DRAFT
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The
agency, which will operate for at least two years, will
work closely with the states and territories to ensure
better service and support to affected communities8.
20Extreme Weather Events returning from conflicts to their countries of origin,
including Australia and other nations in our region,
According to the Productivity Commission, changes and terrorist attacks by individuals inspired and
in the frequency, intensity, location and timing radicalised by extremist messages. Over the next 20
of extreme weather events are likely to be how years, terrorism will continue to evolve in ways which
most Australians experience climate change.12 threaten Australia’s interests. In this context the
Their report outlines a range of policy reforms to concept of public safety within Australia, Police and
help households, businesses and governments Defence will provide critical capabilities as part of
deal with current climate variability and extreme our national counter-terrorism arrangements.16
weather events. A subsequent Senate Inquiry made
recommendations that “Australian governments
specifically address issues of compatibility International affairs and trade
and capacity to facilitate the most effective
interoperability of emergency service organisations
The geopolitical landscape is currently uncertain
and their key personnel, especially for fire services”
with a number of factors identified as global risks.
to reduce the impact and costs of such events now
A number of challenges have been flagged for 2020
and into the future.13
including: ongoing trade uncertainties associated
with United States foreign policy; territorial disputes
Defence in the critical commercial gateway of the South China
Sea; North Korea’s nuclear threats; and UK’s ‘Brexit’
Australia’s national defence strategic outlook to from the EU. There are also concerns that China is
203514 includes varied challenges which require using its economic power, ostensibly through the
preparation. While there is a remote prospect of Belt and Road initiative, to further its strategic ends17
a military attack by another nation on Australian in the Pacific region. Though tensions between
territory in the foreseeable future, Australia’s China and the United States appear to have reduced,
strategic planning is not limited to defending there continue to be many unresolved issues from
national borders. Strategic planning recognises the the trade war between the two nations.18 The threat
regional and global nature of Australia’s strategic to international trade from the COVID-19 (Corona
interests and the different challenges created by Virus) is being assessed but it is expected to cause
the behaviours of countries and non-state factors significant damage to the world economy.
such as terrorists. The mission of Defence is noted
as being to defend Australia and its interests and to American foreign policy continues to evolve and
provide humanitarian aid both internationally and uncertainties surround Australia’s security role in
domestically. the region under the current administration.19 With
Presidential elections due in November 2020 there
Preserving public safety against the continued will be continuing uncertainty regarding Australia’s
threat of terrorism requires significant inter- place in American foreign policy.
sectoral collaboration. Australians will continue
to be threatened by terrorism at home and
abroad.15 The spread of extremism and violence NEW TECHNOLOGIES
will be worsened by foreign terrorist fighters
Exponential advances in new technologies globally
provide challenges and opportunities, which have
implications for training and skill development. The
rapid pace of technological development means that
the implications and applications of much emerging
technology continues to be explored including:
3D printing; Internet of Things (IoT); remotely
piloted aircraft (drones); artificial intelligence (AI);
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augmented reality; blockchain; cyber security;
robotics; geospatial mapping; and monitoring
of global information systems. Considerable
work has already been undertaken within Public
Safety agencies to keep their workforces skilled in
applying new technologies but there is a risk these
2110,000+
bush/grass fires
attended by NSW Rural
Fire Services in 2017/18
technologies may exceed our capacity to train and/
or acquire the skills required to manage new work,
or threats. It must also be noted that automation can
present challenges in the form of de-skilling.
challenges. These challenges include combatting
technology-related crime, (such as cybercrime),
New technologies promise to reshape markets
propaganda (foreign interference in public affairs
in what many are calling the Fourth Industrial
including elections) and terrorism encouraged by the
Revolution. While it is predicted that the Fourth
radicalisation of young people through social media.
Industrial Revolution has the potential to re-
define almost every aspect of working life, the
policy infrastructure at both the government and Around the world, forward-thinking public safety
workplace level which should support this transition agencies are adopting innovative technologies such
remains less defined. Widespread breaches of as biometrics, body-worn cameras and new forms
personal data and automation-related job changes of digital weaponry to protect citizens. At the same
have mobilised much of the debate around ‘Big Tech’ time, new data and video analytics technologies,
concerns and the subject of increased government which process large volumes of data and make
oversight, but policy in many areas is not keeping predictions around future events, are rapidly
pace with technology.20 becoming one of the most important pieces of the
public safety puzzle.23
Increased corporate awareness of these new
technologies and the scope they offer for the re- In aviation, advances in technology continue to
organisation of work will be required. In the realm radically alter the skills that will be needed in the
of AI, this means expanding understanding in a future. The demand for aerial intelligence, and
range of areas including deep learning theory; deep the gathering of vast amounts of data from this
reinforcement training; lean and augmented data type of mapping will continue to expand. Aerial
learning; and hybrid learning models, amongst intelligence may require new skills within public
others. Blockchain, for example, has rallied around safety. In Defence, there has been rapid expansion
concerns over cryptocurrency but not the potential in the use of remotely piloted aircraft across Navy,
for blockchain to manage critical functions such as Army and Air Force. In 2019, Victoria Police utilised
risk, compliance, legal and evidentiary integrity. drone resources to increase security during mass
gatherings and major incidents. Up to 70 officers
from the Operations Response Unit and Search and
Technological change has also re-shaped skill
Rescue will be trained to operate the technology.24
development in areas of literacy. Language, literacy
An important demonstration of how drones can
and numeracy (LLN) in Vocational Education
be deployed in search and rescue was in the
and Training is important at all levels including
disaster management following the eruption of the
traineeships, apprenticeships, certificate/diploma
Whakaari/White Island volcano in New Zealand in
programs, and degree and postgraduate programs.21
December 2019. Drones were sent into the crisis
Now, and into the future, digital literacy will also
zone to confirm no life, thereby reducing the risk to
be a pre-requisite for many job roles, including in
the rescuers on standby.25
public safety. Digital literacy is more than knowing
how to use a word processor or a spreadsheet –
it means being able to find, evaluate, create and Advances in new technology are growing rapidly
communicate information, requiring both cognitive and will provide greater opportunities to create
and technical skills22. In future, the management of efficiencies in undertaking search and rescue
data will contribute to the success of most public operations on both land and water. This may impact
safety operations whether it be Fire (GIS, geospatial the way police, fire and emergency services search
mapping, drones), Police (drone monitoring and and rescue operations are managed.
surveillance, evidence management, event planning)
or Defence (GIS, geospatial mapping, drones). Public safety organisations increasingly recognise the
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importance of drone technology in their operations,
The increasingly rapid development of new and this commitment to this technology will only
technologies has both benefits and risks for be strengthened over time. The Foreign Affairs,
public safety. As much as it provides better tools Defence, and Trade References Committee Report
for policing and defence, it also presents greater Use of unmanned air, maritime and land platforms by
the Australian Defence Force (June 2015) made nine
22recommendations regarding the deployment of The Grenfell Tower fire tragedy has been a wake-
drones by the Defence Forces. In Recommendation up call for many institutions, governments and
2, the Committee recommended the Australian organisations in Australia.26 The Victorian Cladding
Defence Force acquire armed, unmanned platforms Taskforce, created in July 2017 after the fatal Grenfell
when the capability requirement exists, and the fire reported on the extent of non-compliant
Australian Government make a policy statement cladding across Victoria. Up to 1,400 buildings in
regarding their use. Moreover, Recommendation 3 Victoria could have potentially dangerous panelling
stated the Australian Defence Force should notify similar to the one found in London’s Grenfell
the Australian Government of measures taken Tower and Melbourne’s Lacrosse building fires.27
to address any identified gaps (in) training and The Queensland Non-Conforming Products Audit
dissemination programs regarding the law of armed Taskforce – Status report of 2017 identified around
conflict and international humanitarian law when 12,000 private buildings likely to require review
armed unmanned platforms are acquired. and expect up to around 10 per cent of privately-
owned buildings across Queensland may need some
Public safety organisations increasingly recognise the detailed assessment.28
importance of drone technology in their operations.
It will increase the demand for specialised training Recent reviews of building practice highlight a
and acquisition of qualifications such as the Civil need for greater collaboration between a range
Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Remote Pilot Licence of different skill disciplines engaged in building
(RePL). and construction work. In mid-2017 the Building
Ministers’ Forum (BMF) requested a national
assessment of the effectiveness of compliance
and enforcement systems for the building and
FIRE INDUSTRY construction industry. In February 2018, the
final report by Mr Peter Shergold AC and Ms
Bronwyn Weir focussed on shortcomings in the
In recent years, the public safety industry implementation of the National Construction Code
recognised the need for police and defence to have (NCC).29 The goal of the assessment was to enhance
separate training packages to ensure legislative public trust through effective implementation of
and government policy changes were swiftly building and construction standards that protect the
incorporated into their training. More recently, interests of those who own, work, live, or conduct
the Public Safety Industry Reference Committee their business in Australian buildings. The report
acknowledged that fire might also be better contained 24 recommendations, including specific
served with a separate training package. This recommendations that are relevant to AFAC member
acknowledgement recognises that fire is a high- agencies. Recommendation 2 is that each jurisdiction
risk occupation requiring adherence to a uniquely requires building approval documentation to be
methodical management of training. prepared by appropriate categories of registered
practitioners, demonstrating the proposed building
complies with the NCC. Recommendation 8 is that,
consistent with the International Fire Engineering
FIRE SAFETY IN BUILDING AND Guidelines; each jurisdiction requires developers,
CONSTRUCTION architects, builders, engineers and building
surveyors to engage with fire authorities as part
of the design process. There is an opportunity to
In the last five years, safety has emerged as a build the capability of fire safety personnel to work
significant issue of concern in residential building with building practitioners in the design phase of
and construction. The 2014 fire at the Lacrosse building and construction to ensure Building fire
apartment building in Melbourne’s Docklands, the safety requirements are met consistently with the
catastrophic 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in the United requirements of the NCC.
Kingdom, the Christmas 2018 evacuation of the
Opal Tower apartment building in Zetland, Sydney
due to cracking and safety concerns, and the 2019
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Neo200 Tower blaze in Spencer Street, Melbourne,
all highlight a need to: acknowledge the dangerous
implications of safety breaches; further investigate
any risks associated with existing buildings; and
reduce the risks associated with future building and
construction projects.
23AVIATION ROLE IN THE FIRE confirm the aviation support and
other additional aviation support
INDUSTRY tasks, the skill sets and the proposed
training development pathways for fire
and emergency services’ personnel. This
On 5 January 2020 Prime Minister Scott Morrison work will support other fire and emergency services’
committed additional funding of $11 million to the initiatives such as the Emergency Management
National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC), to be Professionalisation Scheme (EMPS) which seeks to
provided on an ongoing basis. 30 This funding would ensure high standards in leadership and incident
meet the request contained in the May 2018 NAFC management roles as well.
business case requesting a permanent increase of
$11m to its annual budget.
The NAFC, formed by the Australian States and
Territories in 2003, provides the cooperative
The recent bushfire disasters in Australia have framework necessary for a national response to
highlighted the significant role aviation plays in bushfire response. It achieves this by facilitating the
emergency management. The fire, emergency coordination and procurement of a fleet of highly
services and rescue organisations perform specialised firefighting aircraft that are readily
a significant role in supporting prevention, available for use by State and Territory emergency
response and rescue operations in activities such service and land management agencies across
as crew transport; extraction of residents and/ Australia. NAFC also plays a key role in ensuring
or emergency personnel in danger; visual and the sharing of aerial firefighting resources between
electronic reconnaissance; prescribed burning and emergency service and land management agencies
fire suppression. Maintaining this capability requires throughout Australia, and in the development of
appropriately trained personnel to fulfil the multiple national protocols and systems for aerial firefighting.
roles required. While a national collaborative training framework
exists, the outcomes of this project will assist with
For the fire and emergency services’ sector a developing a national training framework that
collaborative approach between state and territory adopts an all-hazards approach to emergency
agencies is imperative to support aviation and management and which can meet the needs of the
emergency response. The Aviation Roles in Fire and wide range of changing and challenging aviation, fire
Emergency Management report prepared by the and emergency response personnel.
Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities
Council (AFAC) and the National Aerial Firefighting The role aviation plays in the broader fire and
Centre (NAFC) in 2018 flagged aviation-related roles emergency management industry will place
as critical to the ability of emergency response increasing demands on the recruitment and
agencies to response to all hazards. The report specialist training of personnel. The recent bushfire
identified sector priorities for the future including: a disasters in Australia bring a further level of urgency
continuing commitment to skill development which to these efforts because they signal an increase in
maintains the highest quality standards in safety; activity that is believed will continue.
and the need to balance increasing demand for skill
specialisation while also maintaining opportunities
for transferability of staff between aviation-related
roles as well.31 AUTOMATION – SELF DRIVING
VEHICLES AND MANAGEMENT OF
Given the recent bushfire disasters across
Australia, and the magnitude of their impact, CRASHES INVOLVING ELECTRIC AND
maintaining a national role-based training HYBRID VEHICLES.
framework is a significant industry priority for the
fire and emergency services. AFAC and NAFC are
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working with Australian Industry Standards on the Advancements in automated technology are
development of the aviation roles required to meet bringing the realities of self-driving vehicles ever
the expanding role of aviation in an all-hazards, all- closer. While fully driverless technology remains
agencies environment of emergency management at the advanced testing stage in many areas of
as outlined in the PUA Public Safety Aviation Case transport, partially automated technology is already
for Change32. Once completed this project will a reality in many areas, and this has significant
24public safety implications. Vehicle automation comes States, for example, significant investment has
with additional risks not usually associated with been made in the training of firefighters, police and
non-automated cars, including increased risk of ambulance officers to respond to incidents that
hardware and software failures, malicious hacking involve hydrogen. As hydrogen technology becomes
and increased risk-taking when the driver feels more widespread, new and refresher training and
safer and takes additional risks.33 In 2017, trials assessments will be required to ensure hydrogen
using self-driving cars were announced in Victoria incidents are appropriately dealt with and affected
and South Australia in cooperation with major car areas are safe.35 Involving emergency services in
manufacturers. While both states require people to these efforts will be essential.
be behind the wheel, ready to take control, the laws
of both states are yet to address the complexities of It is anticipated the COAG Energy Ministers will
control, responsibility and enforcement fully. request the Australian Industry and Skills Committee
(AISC) and Public Safety Industry Reference
Rapid technological advances in vehicle automation Committee update the training packages for
and design bring with them some very specific hydrogen safety. This will include the Public Safety
risks in the management of electric vehicles in road Training Package which contains training materials
crashes. A 2012 report by the Society of Automotive and guidelines for managing emergencies. This
Engineers (SAE) in the US highlighted risks to first training package may be updated by creating or
responders and tow operators because electric importing hydrogen-related units, drawing on work
shocks can result from damaged systems not by the International Association for Hydrogen Safety
disengaged during or immediately after a crash. (HySafe) and the US Center for Hydrogen Safety.
To enable this process, COAG Energy Ministers are
The training of emergency services personnel and expected to write to the Chair of the Skills Council,
greater public awareness of the hazards involved which directs the work of the AISC.36
will require urgent assessment. Increased public
understanding of the electrocution risks posed by
electric vehicles will also be necessary to ensure
bystanders and good Samaritans seeking to assist
SURF LIFESAVING
those injured in traffic accidents are not exposed
to danger. In high impact collisions involving hybrid
vehicles, there is increased risk of components Surf Life Saving Australia is a community cause
fragmenting and breaking free, and this in turn committed to reducing coastal drownings. Over
increases the risk of explosion in the form of high the summer season, up to March 2020 over 4,135
voltage sparks and ignition of fuel sources.34 rescues were performed and first aid administered
on 17,012 occasions. Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW)
has members across 129 Surf Life Saving Clubs
(SLSCs) and 11 Branches who perform thousands of
HYDROGEN TRAINING FOR rescues, preventative actions and first aid treatments
each year. With over 75,000 members in NSW alone,
AUSTRALIAN EMERGENCY SERVICES it is one of the largest volunteer organisations of
its type in Australia. In 2020 Surf Life Saving will be
reviewing its Public Safety Certificate II qualification
Activities which involve the use of hydrogen pose
in Aquatic Rescue.
some explicit public safety risks, and therefore
require specific measures to ensure this risk is
appropriately managed and contained. The chemical
composition of hydrogen means that heating, or
reactions with air, halogens or strong oxidants can all
significantly increase the risk of an explosion hazard.
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG)
Energy Council in their report, ‘Australia’s National
Hydrogen Strategy’ highlights that the maintenance
51
of a safe environment for the community,
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emergency services and industry is paramount.
Appropriate training for emergency services on
how to deal with a hydrogen-related incident the number of disaster
is essential to minimise the risk to themselves, inquiries resulting in
others, and property and equipment. In the United 811 recommendations
between 2009 and 2017
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